by
Black Girl With Long Hair
Damn Alek, we didn’t know it was like that. In an interview with Page Six the legendary South Sudanese model, whom actress Lupita Nyong’o often counts as one of her primary inspirations, did not mince words when expressing her disdain for women gaining entry to the modeling world through Instagram.
“I think the fashion industry has gotten to a place where it is embarrassing. When I think of ‘Instagram models,’ I say you have to take baby steps. You cannot just walk straight onto the runway. When I was working, there was no digital. We actually worked, we used Polaroids,” she told us.
Wek, who’s walked for labels such as Chanel, Gucci, Dior and YSL, added: “Anything that those girls get for instant gratification, [they’ll] have to pay for it later.”
Youch!
While we understand that Wek represents a golden age of modeling, her comments are somewhat unfair. The fashion industry is notoriously sizeist and racially exclusionary. Fashion gatekeepers aren’t trying to let too many non-white, non-stick-figure-looking models in, so we cannot fault aspiring models for making a case, via social media, that they are just as bankable and acceptable as the standard.
Black British model Leomie Anderson used social media as an outlet to build her brand as she sought to gain headway in the fashion industry. Her career took off when she was selected (on her third try) for the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. Anderson credits her personality with helping her to finally land the gig.
“It was my third casting for [VS], and when I came in I said, ‘Third time’s a charm—I didn’t install this weave for nothing!” That lightened the mood a bit. I figured I’ll just show my personality, and if they like it, they like it; if they don’t, they don’t. It paid off in the end. All the other times I felt like I wasn’t ready. This time I went in and I knew I was ready; it wasn’t as scary as before.”
And honestly we’re here for stories like that.
I hope Wek understands, too, that she benefits from the privilege of the fashion industry’s fascination with African, Afro Latino and Caribbean women — sometimes at the expense of African American women, who are not seen as possessing the same level of global beauty and exoticism.
Up-and-coming African American model Ebonee Davis, who has modeled for Sports Illustrated and Calvin Klein, said as much in a candid open letter;
“Last week, I received an email from my agent at MC2 Model Management. The contents: a photo of myself—nostrils wide, lips full, hair defying gravity in all its natural glory—in Calvin Klein’s Fall 2016 campaign and a message that simply read, “Really proud of you.” My heart swelled. I thought back to how hard I had tried to assimilate into the fashion industry—straightening my hair, wearing weaves and extensions. I was told that brands only booked black girls if they looked like they’d been “plucked from a remote village in Africa” or like a “white model dipped in chocolate,” and from the start of my career in 2011, I lived by those words.”
Perhaps Wek’s comments were more about the quality of work of models coming off of Instagram. But social media has helped to equalize the fashion industry — if only by just a little bit. And we certainly can’t be mad at that.
What do you think ladies? Are Wek’s comments fair to you? Why or why not?
17 Responses
Funny how humans always try to create a heirarchy amongst themselves.. The quote by Ebonee Davis said it best, “I was told that brands only booked black girls if they looked like they’d been “plucked from a remote village in Africa…” Alek needs to realize she was chosen because fashion has a fetish with conquering the African village. She’s beautiful, but supermodel or not you’re still a tool.
If she was talking about the girls who call themselves “models” just because they post a couple of pics posing in their kitchen on their IG page, then I agree.
We must embrace new ways. while acknowledging old one. Whatever works in good taste to HELP us. NO one will rarely HELP us o r give us a shining chance social media or not!
I’m pretty sure she was referring to the likes of Kendall Jenner. Basic Bih’s who get bookings because of their social media profile not because of any kind of striking look or aptitude for taking great pictures.
She probably doesn’t even know who they are. I think it’s the fact that supermodels are placed on a pedestal higher than other women and other models so she feels the need to emphasize her relevance.
Hmm . . . I hadn’t thought of that
It’s unfair to assume that Instagram models don’t work hard just because they built their platform on Instagram. Maintaining a following and maintaining a look requires some work. However, I believe Wek is pushing against the notion that all it takes is looks to be a model. Modelling is an art that requires technique and skill. So Instagram models who do nothing more than stand in front of the camera and let their shape or makeup do the talking- and really think they are modelling- are unaware of the kind of work it takes to be high-end.
I am not a model, but you have to understand that modelling is not glamorous. It is a grueling industry for women. And then you will understand why models are so competitive with other naive, talentless upcomers.
You got to start somewhere. Some people don’t work hard as others and it’s unfair to the ones who made major setbacks and strives to achieve fame.
a) She dated herself because it seems that she can’t understand how people and times change and evolve.
b) She comes across very bitter.
No I disagree with you, just imagine what she went through as a black dark skinned women trying to make it in this white man’s world back then when it was much worse. I don’t agree with her, I think people can do whatever it takes to get there but I understand where she’s coming from.
I remember having to defend Alek’s beauty to a young lady when she first started appearing in magazines. The girl was basically going in on her looks (close cut hair, dark skin, wide nose, etc.). Myself and another young man had to explain the concept that beauty in the modeling industry was different than what she was taught.. I’m not sure if she got it.
I think Leomie Anderson is the wrong example to use as a counter argument to Alek’s. Leomie has been in the modelling game for years (ie: since she was a young teen) and has come up through the traditional route of being scouted and having an agency look after her. Despite her having a large Instagram following, she shouldn’t be considered an Instagram model.
Yeah, Leomie was on The Model Agency in 2011. The writer of this article is completely missing the point of what Alek is saying and doesn’t know what they are talking about.
That’s true. She was even featured on a fly on the wall documentary of the modelling agency which represents her, aired on British TV some years ago. I’ve also read interviews in British publications and have been disappointed by the way she comes across. Seems she was getting quite a bit of work and exposure back then.
I completely understand Alek’s position…
In order to thrive in the industry, you’re going to have to give more that just be an IG model. Many are getting scouted just because they have a huge following and a lot of likes, that does NOT translate into hard work and talent.
As an actress I see castings that ask for 100k followers to be considered for the role, and once that “IG famous” person gets picked they usually don’t know what to do on set or don’t care. Many do seek instant gratification, or want to be a model for the wrong reasons and when those ppl get picked it’s just an insult to the industry.
I don’t agree with Alek’s comments at all. There are no set rules as to how models are scouted. Musicians and other arsists use social media to advertise why not models? Tradition can embrace the modern and live cohesively.